Events

European Rover Challenge 2026 – See you in Kraków!

From 4–6 September 2026, Krakow will once again become a meeting place for the international space robotics community. The next edition of the European Rover Challenge (ERC) will bring together International student teams and space enthusiasts from around the world to showcase innovative technologies and ideas for the future of space exploration.

The focal point of the event is the international Mars rover competition. Student teams design, build, and test their own planetary rovers, which must complete a series of challenges inspired by real space missions. These include autonomous navigation, terrain analysis, sample collection, and precision engineering tasks carried out on a specially designed Marsyard that simulates the conditions of the Martian surface.

More than a Robotics Competition

The European Rover Challenge is much more than a rover competition. Over three days, participants can attend lectures, panel discussions, and meetings with experts from academia, industry, and the space sector. It is a unique opportunity to discover the latest developments in space technologies and learn how engineers and scientists are preparing for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

Visitors can also explore the exhibition and educational zone, where they can experience new technologies, meet rover designers, and gain insight into the work of researchers and engineers developing solutions for space exploration.

Developing Technologies for Future Space Missions

The competition challenges reflect real engineering problems that robotic systems will face during future planetary missions. As a result, ERC has become a place where innovative ideas are transformed into practical solutions, and many student projects evolve into technologies with applications in the space sector.

The event also creates opportunities to exchange knowledge, build international collaborations, and connect with people who are shaping the future of space exploration.

Join us at ERC 2026

The next edition of the European Rover Challenge will take place in Kraków, Poland, from 4–6 September 2026. Whether you are interested in robotics, space technologies, engineering, or simply curious to see some of the world's most advanced student-built planetary rovers in action, ERC 2026 offers a unique opportunity to experience the future of space exploration firsthand.

Find out more about the event